Box for the packaging and/or dispensing of products

ABSTRACT

The invention provides a foldable decoration, a cut for the making of a box and a box for packaging and/or distribution of products. Said box includes: an internal space delimited by an upper face, a lower face, a front lateral face, a rear lateral face, a right lateral face and a left lateral face, so that at least one of the lateral faces is articulated by an edge of articulation to an edge of the lower face so as to be able to pivot about a swivel axis determined by said edge of articulation; and a lid articulated along an edge of the upper face of the box so as to be able to pivot about a swivel axis contained in the lid. Said lid can swivel between a shut-down position, in which the upper face of the box is covered by the lid and a lifted-up position.

The present invention concerns a box for packaging and/or distributionof one or a plurality of products, including a foldable decoration inthree dimensions (3D). More precisely, the present invention relates toa refillable box in which products, such as tissues, can be stored witha view to a use by the user.

PRIOR ART

WO 2006/111232 describes a casket intended to receive anunfolding/folding structure. The casket includes a plate to which a lidis fixed so as to be able to pivot between a shut-down position and alifted-up position practically perpendicular to the plate. Said plate isfixed to the top of a basket so as to be able to slide along with regardsaid basket. The casket includes a closing strip which extends so as toattach the shut-down lid to the wall of the basket. The access to theinternal space of the basket is possible only when the user lifts thelid. This configuration does not give a fast and simple access to theproducts contained in the basket.

The object of the invention is to provide a refillable box, including afoldable decoration in three dimensions. Said box gives the user asimple and fast access to the products contained in the box.

Another object of the invention is to provide a box having anopening/closing system that is easy to use and that ensures a perfectclosing of the box so as to avoid its slackening and/or opening, apartfrom an opening by the user in order to refill the box.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to a first aspect, the present invention provides a box forpackaging and/or distribution of one or a plurality of products, such astissues, said box includes:

An internal space into which said product can be introduced and stored,the internal space is delimited by an upper face, a lower face, a frontlateral face, a rear lateral face, a right lateral face and a leftlateral face, so that at least one of the lateral faces is articulatedby an edge of articulation to an edge of the lower face so as to be ableto pivot about a swivel axis determined by said edge of articulation,said lateral face can swivel between a closed position in which the boxis closed and an open position in which a window of insertion is createdin the box, enabling an introduction of said product into the internalspace, and

A lid including an internal face and an external face, said lid isarticulated along an edge of the upper face of the box so as to be ableto pivot about a swivel axis contained in the lid. Said lid can swivelbetween a shut-down position, in which the upper face of the box iscovered by the lid, and a lifted-up position. In a favourite embodiment,the lid is fixed in a permanent way to an edge of the upper face of thebox.

In a favourite embodiment, the box includes in the upper face at leastone opening through which the product is partially visible and/or isaccessible to the user.

In a favourite embodiment, the box includes at least one closing flaparticulated along one of the edges of the upper face, said edge isparallel to the edge of articulation of the pivoting lateral face and issituated on the same side as the window of insertion of the box, saidclosing flap can swivel about a swivel axis represented by the edgealong which it is articulated.

In a favourite embodiment, the pivoting lateral face includes at leastone closing means articulated along at least one edge of said pivotinglateral face, said edge being perpendicular to the edge of articulationof the lateral face, said closing means can swivel about a swivel axisdetermined by the edge along which it is articulated, said closing meansis adapted to be inserted into the internal space in order to close thebox.

In a favourite embodiment, the closing means includes a first edge whichis in continuity with the edge of articulation of the lateral face towhich the closing means is articulated; a second edge by which theclosing means is articulated to the lateral face; a curve connectingsaid edges; and at least one closing-fixing means. In a favouriteembodiment, the closing-fixing means is a flat segment which forms astraight line that is parallel to the edge of articulation of thelateral face to which the closing means is articulated.

In a favourite embodiment, the foldable flap is adapted to be attachedto/detached from one of the lateral faces of the box by means of atleast one means of attachment provided on said lateral face and/or onsaid foldable flap.

In a favourite embodiment, the foldable flap is adapted to be insertedbetween one of the lateral faces and the upper face of the box when thelid is shut down on the upper face, the foldable flap is perpendicularto the lid and said lateral face is in a closed position.

In a favourite embodiment, the box includes a foldable decorationincluding a first flat part attached to the internal face of the lid, asecond flat part attached to the upper face of the box and at least oneslot laterally delimiting an unfolding-folding structure includingelements of decoration which have folding lines extending between theaforesaid slots and can be spread out into space and form at least oneplane that is parallel to at least one of the first and second flatparts of the foldable decoration.

In a favourite embodiment, the box is adapted to be folded along theedge of articulation of the lid to the box and/or the edges of the upperface and/or the lower face and/or the front lateral face and/or the rearlateral face which are parallel to it, said box is adapted to be foldedwhen the pivoting lateral face is in an open position, forming, in thisway, a practically flat structure.

According to another aspect, the present invention provides a foldabledecoration including a first flat part, a second flat part and at leastone slot laterally delimiting an unfolding-folding structure includingelements of decoration which have folding lines extending between theaforesaid slots and can be spread out into space and form at least oneplane that is parallel to at least one of the first and second flatparts of the foldable decoration.

According to another aspect, the present invention provides a cut forthe making of a box as described above, including a plurality of linesof connection corresponding to the various edges of the faces and/orclosing flaps and/or flaps of the lid and/or lid of the box when saidbox is formed.

According to another aspect, the present invention provides a foldabledecoration as described above which is adapted to be superposed on atleast one surface of the cut that is also described above.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1: perspective view of the foldable decoration.

FIG. 2: perspective view of the box according to an embodiment of theinvention without foldable decoration and with lifted-up lid.

FIG. 3: perspective view of the box according to an embodiment of theinvention with the foldable decoration and with lifted-up lid.

FIG. 4, FIG. 5 and FIG. 6: perspective views of the box according to anembodiment of the invention with the foldable decoration showingrespectively the lifted-up, partially shut-down and completely shut-downlid.

FIG. 7: perspective view of the box according to an embodiment of theinvention with the foldable decoration and lifted-up lid.

FIG. 8: perspective view of the box according to an embodiment of theinvention, wherein the opening means of the central tab is detached.

FIG. 9: perspective view of the box according to an embodiment of theinvention, wherein the opening means and the central tab are detached.

FIG. 10: perspective view of the box according to an embodiment of theinvention with completely shut-down lid.

FIG. 11: perspective view of the box according to an embodiment of theinvention with the lifted-up lid, the central tab and the opening meansdetached.

FIG. 12: perspective view of the box according to an embodiment of theinvention in a state of use: lifted-up lid, central tab and openingmeans detached and product, i.e. tissue that can be taken out throughthe opening existing in the upper lateral face of the box.

FIG. 13: perspective view of the box according to an embodiment of theinvention in a state of refilling, wherein the right lateral face isopen.

FIG. 14: perspective view of a product for refilling the box accordingto an embodiment of the invention, i.e. a box of tissues.

FIG. 15: perspective view of the mode of refilling of the box accordingto an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 16 to FIG. 19: perspective views showing the steps of a closing ofthe lid of the box according to an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 20 to FIG. 23: perspective views showing the steps of a closing ofthe right lateral face of the box according to an embodiment of theinvention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS

The invention relates to a box for packaging and/or distribution of oneor a plurality of products, such as tissues. The box includes a foldabledecoration in three dimensions in the middle of which the user can takesaid product out, such as piled-up tissues. Said product can becontained in a packaging other than the box according to an embodimentof the invention or it can be introduced directly, without anypreliminary packaging, into the box according to an embodiment of theinvention. The box according to an embodiment of the invention cancontain products other than tissues, such as pieces of paper for takingnotes, wet towelettes, chocolate, etc.

The box according to an embodiment of the invention can be closed andopened at will, and, once empty of its contents, the product, such as apile of stacked tissues or a standard box of tissues, can be reloadedinto the box. A refilling of the box can be done manually by the userthrough at least one window of insertion that the box has. The pile oftissues is preferably a pile of imbricate tissues such as imbricatetowels. The pile of imbricate tissues is known by the person skilled inthe art and is available on the market. The pile of tissues can bewrapped in a wrapping paper and/or in a Cellophane packaging. The pileof tissues can also have no packaging.

The box 1 according to an embodiment of the invention includes a lid 2and a foldable decoration 15. The box is described below in connectionwith the appended FIGS., in which a standard box of tissues is insertedin the internal space of the box. In that case, the latter is at thesame time a box for packaging and distribution of tissues. The FIGS. andthe standard box of tissues are used only by way of example andrepresent on no account a limitation of the invention.

The box 1 according to an embodiment of the invention includes aninternal space, into which one or a plurality of products can beintroduced. The internal space is delimited by an upper face 6, a lowerface 7, a front lateral face 10, a rear lateral face 11, a right lateralface 8 and a left lateral face 9 (FIG. 2).

In a favourite embodiment, at least one of the lateral faces isarticulated by an edge of articulation to an edge of the lower face 7 soas to be able to pivot about a swivel axis determined by said edge ofarticulation. Said lateral face can swivel between a closed position inwhich the box is closed and an open position in which a window ofinsertion is created in the box, thus enabling an introduction of saidproduct into said internal space.

Preferably, the right 8 and left 9 lateral faces are articulated alongtwo edges of the lower face 7 of the box 1, called edges of articulation32. Said edges of the lower face 7 are parallel to each other. The rightlateral face 8 and/or the left lateral face 9 can thus pivot between aclosed position which is practically perpendicular to the lower face 7and an open position enabling an introduction of said product into thebox (FIG. 12 and FIG. 13). The right 8 and left 9 lateral faces can alsobe articulated, in the same way, to an edge of the upper face 6.

Note that, in the same way, the front lateral face 10 and/or the rearlateral face 11 can be articulated along one or two edges of the lower 7or upper 6 face of the box. The lower face 7 and/or the upper face 6 canalso be articulated along one of the edges of one of the lateral facesof the box.

In a favourite embodiment, the box includes at least one closing flaparticulated along one of the edges of the upper face 6. Said edge isparallel to the edge of articulation of the pivoting lateral face and issituated on the same side as the window of insertion of the box. Saidclosing flap can swivel about a swivel axis represented by the edgealong which it is articulated.

In a favourite embodiment, the box 1 includes at least a right closingflap 24 articulated along at least one edge of the upper face 6. Saidedge is parallel to the edge of articulation 32 of the right pivotinglateral face 8 and is situated on the same side as the window ofinsertion of the box 1. So, the closing flap can swivel about a swivelaxis Y′-Y′ represented by the edge along which it is articulated (FIG.13). The edge of the upper face 6 is preferably the edge that isperpendicular to the edge of the upper face to which the lid 2 isarticulated. So, said right closing flap 24 can swivel between a firstposition in which it is in the internal space of the box 1 and incontact with the upper face 6 and a position that is practically at 360°from said first position. Note that a closing flap is articulatedaccording to the above described principle for each of the lateraland/or upper and/or lower pivoting faces of the box.

In a favourite embodiment, the pivoting lateral face includes at least aclosing means 25 articulated along at least one edge of said pivotinglateral face, said edge being perpendicular to the edge of articulationof the lateral face. Said closing means 25 can swivel about a swivelaxis determined by the edge along which it is articulated, said closingmeans 25 is adapted to be inserted into the internal space in order toclose the box.

In a favourite embodiment, the pivoting right lateral face 8 and/or thepivoting left lateral face 9 of the box 1 include(s) at least oneclosing means 25 which is articulated along at least one edge of thepivoting lateral face (FIG. 25). Said edge is perpendicular to theswivel axis Y-Y represented by the edge of articulation 32 of thelateral face 8, 9. Said closing means 25 can swivel about a swivel axisZ-Z, Z′-Z′ (FIG. 13) determined by the edge along which it isarticulated and can swivel by 360° between the faces of the lateral faceto which it is articulated. Said closing means is adapted to be insertedinto the internal space in order to close the box 1 when it is in aposition which is practically perpendicular to the lateral face to whichit is fixed and when said lateral face is practically perpendicular tothe lower face 7 of the box 1 and/or when the right closing flap 24 ispractically perpendicular to the upper face 6 of the box 1. Note that,in the same way, the pivoting front lateral face 10 and/or the pivotingrear lateral face 11 and/or the pivoting lower face 7 and/or thepivoting upper face 6 can include at least one closing means asdescribed above.

In a favourite embodiment, the closing means 25 includes a first edgewhich is in continuity with the edge of articulation of the lateral faceto which the closing means 25 is articulated; a second edge by which theclosing means 25 is articulated to the lateral face; a curve 34connecting said edges; and at least one closing-fixing means C.Preferably, the first edge forms a straight and continuous line withsaid edge of articulation. Preferably, the closing means 25 has a shapewhich is practically a quarter-circle.

In a favourite embodiment, the closing means 25 includes at least oneclosing-fixing means C. Preferably, the closing means 25 has a shapewhich is practically a quarter-circle including a first edge 31, asecond edge 33 and a curve 34 connecting said edges. The first edge 31of the closing means is in continuity with the edge of articulation 32of the lateral face 8 to the lower face 7 of the box 1. Preferably, thefirst edge 31 forms a straight and continuous line with said edge ofarticulation 32. The second edge 33 of the closing means 25 is sharedwith one of the edges of the right lateral face 8 (FIG. 13). The secondedge 33 is the edge by which the closing means 25 is articulated to thelateral face 8, 9. The curve 34 connecting the first edge 31 to thesecond edge 33 of the closing means 25 ends with a closing-fixing meansC (FIG. 13).

In a favourite embodiment, the closing-fixing means C is a flat segmentwhich forms a straight and continuous line with the edge of the rightlateral face 8 that is parallel to the edge of articulation 32 of thelateral face to the lower face 7 of the box 1. This is illustrated inFIG. 13, wherein the right lateral face 8 is provided with two closingmeans 25, on either side of the edge of articulation 32 of the rightlateral face 8. The left lateral face 9 of the box 1 can have the sameconfiguration as described above for the right lateral face 8.

In a favourite embodiment, the diameter D of the quarter-circle of theclosing means 25 is lower than the height of the box H (FIG. 13). Thediameter D increases gradually from the first edge 31 of the closingmeans as going towards the second edge 33 of the closing means 25. Atthe closing-fixing means C, the diameter D is equivalent to the height Hof the box 1. This configuration makes it easy to insert the closingmeans 25 into the internal space of the box 1 while ensuring a stableclosing of lateral faces 8 and/or 9. Indeed, when they are insertedinside the internal space of the box 1, the closing-fixing means C arein contact with the common edge shared by the upper face 6 and the frontlateral face 10 of the box, thus avoiding any accidental and unwantedopening of the lateral faces 8 and/or 9.

In a favourite embodiment, the right closing flap 24 is adapted to leavea clearance, preferably narrow, with respect to the front 10 and rear 11lateral faces when it is in a position that is perpendicular to theupper face 6 of the box 1. The clearance between the right closing flap24 in the aforesaid position and the front 10 and/or rear 11 lateralfaces is preferably lower than 2 mm, more preferably lower than 1.5 mm,even more preferably lower than 1 mm. This facilitates the insertion ofthe closing means 25 into the internal space when the right closing flap24 is in a position that is practically perpendicular to the upper face6 of the box 1. Note that, according to the same principle, a clearance,preferably narrow, exists between any closing flap of the box and thefaces of the box which are adjacent to it.

In a favourite embodiment, one of the faces of the box includes at leastone means of attachment. FIG. 2 shows an example wherein the frontlateral face 10 of the box 1 includes at least a means of attachment 14,such as restickable double-sided adhesive discs and/or restickabledouble-sided adhesive strips. The means of attachment 14 can also be inthe form of a restickable double-sided adhesive tape or any other meansknown by the person in the trade.

In a favourite embodiment, the box includes in the upper face 6 at leastone opening 22 through which the product is partially visible and/or isaccessible to the user. The box is adapted to hold in its internal spaceat least one product that is accessible through said opening 22.

In a favourite embodiment, the box 1 includes in the upper face 6 atleast one detachable tab 12 containing at least one detachable openingmeans 13. The tab 12 is adapted to be detached from the box further to adetachment of the opening means 13, by the user, thus creating saidopening 22 in the upper face 6 of the box 1 (FIG. 8 and FIG. 9).Preferably, further to the detachment of the opening means 13 by theuser, a gap 13′ is created in the tab 12 (FIG. 8). Further to thedetachment of the tab 12, said gap 13′ will be part of the opening 22.The tab 12 and the opening means 13 can have any shape— such ascircular, rectangular, square— and can be positioned anywhere in theupper lateral face 6. Preferably, the tab 12 has an oval shape and ispositioned at the centre of the upper face 6 of the box, as shown inFIG. 7.

In its closed position, each of the edges of the right lateral face 8,except for the edge of articulation, is in contact with one of the edgesof the upper face 6 and/or of the front lateral face 10 and/or of therear lateral face 11. In a favourite embodiment, at least one of theedges of the upper face 6 and/or of the front lateral face 10 and/or ofthe rear lateral face 11 that is in contact with the right lateral face8 includes an irregularity which facilitates the opening of the rightlateral face 8 of the box by the user in order to limit damages to thebox after several openings of said face 8. The irregularity can have anyshape known by the person in the trade. For example, the irregularitycan be a semicircular notch. Note that this is applicable for each ofthe pivoting faces of the box.

In a favourite embodiment, the lid 2 of the box 1 includes an internalface 29 and an external face 30 (FIG. 2). Said lid is articulated alongan edge of the upper face 6 of the box so as to be able to pivot about aswivel axis contained in the lid 2. So, the lid 2 can swivel between ashut down position, in which the upper face 6 of the box is covered bythe lid 2 (FIG. 6), and a lifted-up position practically perpendicularto the upper face 6 of the box and in which the opening 22 of the upperface is accessible to the user (FIG. 3).

The swivel axis of the lid 2 can be the edge of the upper face 6 towhich the lid 2 is articulated.

Preferably, said swivel axis (X-X, FIGS. 2 and 3) of the lid 2 is afolding line contained in the lid 2 and parallel to the edge of theupper face 6 to which said lid is articulated. The swivel axis X-X ofthe lid 2 is thus situated at a distance d of the edge of the upper face6 to which the lid is articulated. When closing the box while shuttingdown the lid onto the upper face, a clearance exists between the upperface and the internal surface of the lid due to the presence of saiddistance d. Said clearance is used for containing the foldabledecoration when the lid is completely shut down on the upper face. Thismakes it possible to avoid that the lid becomes round after it was shutdown onto the upper face, thus ensuring a bad closing of the box and/oroffering a poor visual aspect. Said distance d ranges from 0.5 to 10 mm,preferably from 1 to 9 mm, more preferably from 2 to 8 mm, even morepreferably from 3 to 7 mm, most preferably from 4 to 6 mm or any valueincluded in the indicated intervals.

In a favourite embodiment, a perforated or not perforated plastic stickis fixed to the lid at the distance d between the folding line of thelid and the edge of the upper face to which the lid is articulated. Saidstick can have a cylindrical or rectangular shape with dimensions,namely diameter or height and/or width, adapted for the fixation of thestick as described above.

In a favourite embodiment, at least one hinge is fixed between the lidand the upper face of the box. Said hinge makes it possible to pivot thelid about the swivel axis X-X. Said hinge can be made of plastic and isadapted to maintain the lid in a practically perpendicular position,preferably at 110°, more preferably at 115°, most preferably at 120°, tothe upper face of the box. Preferably, the user will have to forceslightly the hinge(s) of the box to shut the lid down completely on theupper face. Preferably, two hinges or more are fixed between the lid andthe upper face of the box.

In a favourite embodiment, the lid includes at least one foldable flaparticulated along an edge of said lid so as to be able to pivot about aswivel axis represented by said edge.

In a favourite embodiment, the lid 2 of the box 1 includes a rightfoldable flap 3, a left foldable flap 4 and a front foldable flap 5(FIG. 2). Each foldable flap is articulated along an edge of said lid 2(FIG. 2) so as to be able to pivot about a swivel axis represented bythe very one edge. It is evident that the edges of the lid to whichflaps are articulated do not include the edge of the lid 2 that isarticulated along one of the edges of the upper face 6 of the box 1(FIG. 2). The flaps 3, 4, 5 of the lid 2 can swivel by 360° between theinternal face 29 and the external face 30 of the lid 2.

In a favourite embodiment, the foldable flap is adapted to be insertedbetween one of the lateral faces and the upper face of the box when thelid is shut down on the upper face, the foldable flap is perpendicularto the lid and said lateral face is in a closed position.

In a favourite embodiment, the right foldable flap 3 is adapted to beinserted between the right lateral face 8 and the upper face 6 of thebox 1 when the lid 2 is shut down on the upper face 6, the rightfoldable flap 3 is perpendicular to the lid 2 and the right lateral faceis in a closed position (FIG. 5); and/or the left foldable flap 4 isadapted to be inserted between the left lateral face 9 and the upperface 6 of the box 1 when the lid 2 is shut down on the upper face 6, theleft foldable flap 3 is perpendicular to the lid 2, the left lateralface is in a closed position; and/or the front foldable flap 5 isadapted to be inserted between the front lateral face 10 and the upperface 6 of the box 1 when the lid 2 is shut down on the upper face 6, thefront foldable flap 5 is perpendicular to the lid 2, the front lateralface is in a closed position.

In a favourite embodiment, said foldable flap is adapted to be attachedto/detached from one of the lateral faces of the box by means of atleast one means of attachment provided on said lateral face and/or onsaid foldable flap. In a favourite embodiment, the front foldable flap 5of the lid 2 is adapted to be attached to the front lateral face 10 ofthe box by means of the means of attachment 14 placed on the frontlateral face 10 of the box 1 and/or on said foldable flap.

The insertion and/or the attachment of the flaps 3, 4, 5 of the lid 2 asdescribed above enables the complete and fixed closing of the lid 2 ontothe box 1 (FIGS. 16-19). This makes it possible to maintain a goodhygiene of the products contained inside the box, for example in thecase of products that will not be used in a near future.

As shown in FIG. 2, the front foldable flap 5 can have a rectangularshape having the same length as the length of the edge of the lid 2 towhich said flap is fixed. Said foldable flap can have a rectangularshape, the length of which is lower or higher than that of the edge ofthe lid 2 to which the flap is fixed. The front foldable flap 5 can alsohave another shape, such as a triangular, square, circular,half-circular shape, a shape of a part of a circle, etc. In a favouriteembodiment, the front foldable flap 5 is intended to be introduced intoa slot situated in the front lateral face 10 of the box 1. Of course,the slot of the lateral face is provided at a place and has a size thatenable the closing of the lid of the box by means of the front foldableflap.

In another favourite embodiment, the front foldable flap 5 includes aclosing strip which is intended to be introduced into a slot situated inthe front lateral face 10 of the box 1. Said strip can have any shape,for example: rectangular, triangular, circular. Of course, the slot ofthe lateral face is provided at a place and has a size that enable theclosing of the lid of the box by means of the closing strip.

In another favourite embodiment, the edge of the lid 2 has no frontfoldable flap 5 and a closing strip is articulated to said edge. Saidstrip is intended to be introduced into a slot situated in the frontlateral face 10 of the box 1. Said strip can have any shape, forexample: rectangular, triangular, circular. Of course, the slot of thelateral face is provided at a place and has a size that enable theclosing of the lid of the box by means of the closing strip.

In a favourite embodiment, the lid 2 of the box is fixed in a permanentway to one of the edges of the upper face 6 of the box 1.

In a favourite embodiment, the box 1 includes a foldable decoration 15including a first flat part 18 attached to the internal face 29 of thelid, a second flat part 19 attached to the upper face 6 of the box 1 andat least one slot 28 laterally delimiting an unfolding-folding structure16 including elements of decoration 16′ which have folding lines 17extending between the aforesaid slots 28. The elements of decoration 16′can be spread out into space and form at least one plane that isparallel to at least one of the first and second flat parts 18, 19 ofthe foldable decoration 15. FIG. 1 shows an example of foldabledecoration including spread-out elements of decoration and formingplanes 21 that are parallel to the first flat part 18 and planes 20 thatare parallel to the second flat part 19 of the foldable decoration 15.Said foldable decoration can be a cardboard sheet including coloured ornon-coloured drawings.

In a favourite embodiment, the first flat part 18 and/or the second flatpart 19 of the foldable decoration are attached, as described above, tothe box 1 in a permanent way. This can be achieved by gluing, forinstance. Preferably, the first flat part 18 and/or the second flat part19 are adapted so that the first flat part 18 partially covers theinternal face 29 of the lid, and the second flat part 19 partiallycovers the upper face 6 of the box 1. So, further to their attachment,the first flat part 18 and the second flat part 19 will have edges whichare respectively contained in the internal face 29 of the lid and theupper face 6 of the box 1 (FIGS. 3 and 4).

In a favourite embodiment, the first flat part 18 of the foldabledecoration covers at least partially the internal face 29 of the lid ofthe box 1. The second flat part 19 of the foldable decoration covers atleast partially the upper face 6 of the box 1.

When a foldable decoration 15 is attached in this way to the internalface 29 of the lid and to the upper face 6 of the box 1, it folds backautomatically on itself when the lid 2 is shut down onto the top of theupper face 6, thus folding up automatically the unfolding-foldingstructures 16 forming the decoration which were spread out into space.Again the foldable decoration 15 spread out automatically into spacewhen the lid 2 is brought in its lifted-up position. The spread-outfoldable decoration makes it possible to maintain the lid of the box ina position which is different from the position in which it is shut downon the upper face of the box. Preferably, the spread-out foldabledecoration makes it possible to maintain the lid of the box in apractically perpendicular position, preferably at 110°, more preferablyat 115°, most preferably at 120°, to the upper face, thus leaving theopening of the upper face and/or the product contained in the boxaccessible to the user. The foldable decoration is thus visible fordecoration and/or amusement reasons.

The foldable decoration 15 can be made in different ways and withpresentations which can vary. It can be made of some or other unfoldingstructure. The elements of decoration 16′ can unfold into space and canhave many configurations and be freely decorated so as to make somedesired decoration.

In a favourite embodiment, the unfolding-folding structure 16 of thefoldable decoration 15 is adapted to keep the tab 12 and/or the openingmeans 13 and/or the opening 22 accessible to the user when it isunfolded. So, the opening 22 created in the upper face 6 further to thedetachment of the tab 12 and consequently the products contained insidethe box 1 are also accessible to the user when the unfolding-foldingstructure 16 of the foldable decoration 15 is unfolded.

In a favourite embodiment, the box 1 is adapted to take into itsinternal space at least one consumable product accessible through theopening 22 which is adapted to be created in the upper face 6 of the box1 by the user.

In a favourite embodiment of the invention, the box 1, the lid 2 and thefoldable decoration 15 are made of cardboard or any other materialincluding plastic, thermoplastic materials, metal materials, etc.Preferably, the box 1, the lid 2 and the foldable decoration 15 are madeof cardboard having physical properties making it possible to fold andto unfold the box and/or the foldable decoration easily. The cardboardof the foldable decoration is also rather stiff, which makes it possibleto maintain the lid of the box in a practically perpendicular position,preferably at 110°, more preferably at 115°, most preferably at 120° tothe upper face.

FIGS. 1 and 2 show how to mount the foldable pop-up 3D decoration 15(FIG. 1) on the lid 2 of the box 1 and on the upper face 6 of the box 1(FIG. 2). Said lid 2 has foldable flaps 3, 4, 5. The assembling can bemade by gluing the foldable decoration 15 on the box. The foldabledecoration 15 is affixed on the box so that the foldable decoration 15covers the upper face 6 of the box 1 (FIG. 3). Note that the first part18 of the foldable decoration 15 is glued on the upper face 6 of the boxand that the second part 19 of the foldable decoration 15 is glued onthe internal face 29 of the lid 2 of the same box (FIG. 3).

In order to close the box, the three flaps 3, 4, 5 of the lid are foldedto bring them in a position that is practically perpendicular to the lid2. The left foldable flap 4 comes to insert into the box between theleft lateral face 9 and the upper face 6 and/or the left closing flap.In a similar way, the right foldable flap 3 comes to insert into the boxbetween the right lateral face 8 and the upper face 6 and/or the rightclosing flap 24 as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5. The front foldable flap 5 isfixed to the front lateral face 10 of the box 1 using the means ofattachment 14, such as restickable adhesive discs (FIGS. 4 and 5). So,the box 1 is completely closed as illustrated in FIG. 6. The steps of aclosing of the box as described above are illustrated in FIGS. 4-6. Itis evident that the position of the means of attachment on the frontlateral face is adapted to take and fix the front foldable flap of thelid of the box. This makes it possible to maintain a good hygiene of theproducts contained inside the box, for example in case of products thatwill not be used in a near future.

In another embodiment and to close the box, the three flaps 3, 4, 5 ofthe lid are folded to bring them in a position that is practicallyperpendicular to the lid 2. Said foldable flaps 3, 4, 5 can be fixed tothe lateral faces 8, 9, 10 of the box 1 using means of attachment 14,such as restickable adhesive discs and/or double-sided adhesive strips.So, the box 1 is completely closed as illustrated in FIG. 6.

In order to take the product contained inside the internal space of thebox, for example tissues, the user will have first of all to lift thelid of the box. Said lid is pivoted, about its swivel axis X-X, by theuser in a position which is practically 180° to the upper face 6. Thenthe user let go of the lid. Due to the physical properties of thecardboard of the box and/or foldable decoration, said lid returns and ismaintained and stabilized in a practically perpendicular position,preferably at 110°, more preferably at 115°, most preferably at 120° tothe upper face. The user also has to remove the detachable tab 12situated in the upper face 6 of the box 1 so as to create an opening 22.The detachable tab can be situated at any place in the upper face 6and/or with regard to the foldable decoration 15. Preferably, the tab issituated in the middle of the upper face and/or in the middle of the 3Dfoldable decoration (FIG. 9). To this end, the detachable tab 12includes an opening means 13 that is also detachable.

In the illustrative example of FIG. 7, the opening means 13 is a smalltab on the left-hand side of the central tab 12. The small tab shown inFIG. 7 can be detached with a simple push with the finger (FIG. 8). Oncethe central tab 12 was removed thanks to a perforation in the form of anellipse in the cardboard, the box 1 is open, thus making the productscontained inside the box, such as tissues 23 (FIG. 12), accessible tothe user through the opening 22. The above described steps of creationof the opening 22 are illustrated in FIGS. 7-9. FIG. 9 shows also theopening means 13 and the tab 12 detached from the upper face 6 of thebox 1.

FIG. 10 shows the box 1 according to an embodiment of the inventionbefore use. FIG. 11 shows the box 1 prepared to be used, i.e. with lid 2lifted up and opening 22 created. FIG. 12 shows the box containingtissues and in use, i.e. a tissue 23 can be easily taken out from thebox through the opening 22.

FIG. 13 shows the box, the right lateral face 8 of which is open so thatthe user can refill the box with products, such as tissues, when the box1 is empty. Two closing means 25 are articulated to the right lateralface 8. Said closing means 25 are articulated along the edges of theright lateral face 8 which are parallel to each other and perpendicularto the swivel axis Y-Y of the right lateral face 8. Said closing means25 are as described above, i.e. have a form which is practically aquarter-circle including a first edge 31, a second edge 33, a curve 34connecting said edges and closing-fixing means C (FIG. 13).

FIG. 14 shows a standard box of tissues 26, well known on the market,which can serve as a refill for the box 1. The box of tissues 26includes on one of its faces a removable part 27 and a narrow notch 35through which the tissues are removed one by one after detachment of theremovable part 27 from the surface of the box of tissues 26. FIG. 15shows the method for refilling the box 1 according to an embodiment ofthe invention, using the box of tissues 26 of FIG. 14. It is veryevident that the opening 22 of the box 1 is adapted to be superposed, atleast partially, on the notch 35 of the box tissues 26.

FIG. 16 shows a perspective view of the box 1 with lifted-up lid 2, thusmaking the 3D foldable decoration visible. The right foldable flap 3 isreturned to a practically perpendicular position to the lid 2 so as tobe in the parallel continuity of the right lateral face 8 of the box 1(FIG. 17). It is the same for the left foldable flap 4 of the lid 2. Sothe right foldable flap can be inserted, when shutting the lid down,between the right lateral face 8 and the right closing flap of the box 1(FIGS. 18 and 19). When shutting the lid 2 down, the 3D foldabledecoration is also folded up. After the lid 2 was completely shut downonto the upper face 6 of the box, the front foldable flap 5 is returnedto a position at 90° to the lid and comes to adhere to one or severalmeans of attachment, such as double-sided adhesive and restickable discsand/or restickable double-sided adhesive strips, of the front lateralface 10. So the box is completely closed as shown in FIG. 19.

After the box was refilled with products via one or two lateral faces,the one or both lateral faces 8, 9 of the box must be closed again. FIG.20 shows a box according to the invention with its right lateral face 8open. To close said right lateral face 8, it is first of all necessaryto return the right closing flap 24 and both closing means 25 into apractically perpendicular position to the upper face 6 of the box 1, asshown in FIG. 21. Then, said right lateral face 8 is lifted up to bringit into its closed position, i.e. a practically perpendicular positionto the lower face 7 (FIG. 22). By returning the right lateral face 8 toits closed position, the closing means 25 are gradually inserted intothe internal space of the box 1, between the front lateral face 10 andthe right closing flap 24 of the box 1 (FIG. 22). Towards the end of theclosing of the right lateral face 8, the closing-fixing means C get alsoinserted into the internal space of the box 1. The closing-fixing meansC maintain the closing of the right lateral face 8 and avoid anyaccidental and unwanted opening of the right lateral face 8, i.e. notcarried out by the user. This is due to the fact that the closing-fixingmeans are straight lines which are in contact with the upper face 6 ofthe box in the internal space of the latter. So, the right lateral face8 of the box is completely closed by means of the right closing flap 24and the means of fixation 25 (FIG. 23).

All these steps described to close the right lateral face 8 are alsoapplicable for the left lateral face 9 and/or any other pivoting face ofthe box. To open the right lateral face 8 of the box, the user has toreverse the sequence of the steps described for closing said faces.

In a favourite embodiment, the box is adapted to be folded according tothe edge of articulation of the lid 2 to the box 1 and/or the edges ofthe upper face 6 and/or the lower face 7 and/or the front lateral face10 and/or the rear lateral face 11 which are parallel to it, said box 1is adapted to be folded when the pivoting lateral face is in an openposition, thus forming a practically flat structure, preferably a flatstructure. This enables an optimized transport of boxes according to theinvention, thus making it possible to transport, easily and in a samevolume of transport, many more folded boxes than formed boxes.

In case the right and left lateral faces 8, 9 can swivel, the box isadapted to be folded according to the edge of articulation of the lid 2to the box 1 and/or the edges of the upper face 6 and/or the lower face7 and/or the front lateral face 10 and/or the rear lateral face 11 whichare parallel to it, said box 1 is adapted to be folded when the rightand left lateral faces 8, 9 are in continuity with the lower face 7 ofthe box 1, thus forming a practically flat structure, preferably a flatstructure. Preferably, the box is foldable when the right 8 and left 9lateral faces are contained in the same plane as the lower face 7 of thebox 1.

According to another aspect, the present invention provides a foldabledecoration 15 including a first flat part 18, a second flat part 19 andat least one slot 28 laterally delimiting an unfolding-folding structure16 including elements of decoration 16′ which have folding lines 17extending between the aforesaid slots 28 and can be spread out intospace and form at least one plane that is parallel to at least one ofthe first and second flat parts 18, 19 of the foldable decoration 15.Said decoration can be in the form of cardboard paper including a firstpart, a second part, the aforesaid slots and folding lines, coloured ornon-coloured drawings. The foldable decoration is adapted to be attachedto the box as described above. It is evident that the dimensions of thedecoration must be adapted to said attachment and thus to the dimensionsof the box and, more precisely, of the upper face and the lid of thebox.

According to another aspect, the present invention provides a cut forthe making of a box as described above, including a plurality of linesof connection corresponding to the various edges of the faces and/or ofthe closing flaps and/or of the flaps of the lid and/or of the very lidof the box when said box is formed. Said lines of connection delimit thevarious faces and the various flaps of the box. Said cut includes atleast one surface adapted to be attached to at least one second surfaceof the same cut, thus forming a box with lid and without any foldabledecoration, as shown in FIG. 2.

According to another aspect, the present invention provides a foldabledecoration as described above adapted to be superposed on at least onesurface of the cut that is also described above.

The embodiment described above and illustrated in the appended drawingsis an example given by way of illustration and the present invention isby no means limited to this example. Any modification, any variant andany equivalent arrangement must be considered as included within thescope of said invention.

1. Box for packaging and/or distribution of one or a plurality ofproducts, such as tissues, said box comprising: an internal space intowhich said product can be introduced, wherein the internal space isdelimited by an upper face, a lower face, a front lateral face, a rearlateral face, a right lateral face and a left lateral face, so that atleast one of the lateral faces is articulated by an edge of articulationto an edge of the lower face so as to be able to pivot about a swivelaxis determined by said edge of articulation, wherein said lateral facecan swivel between a closed position in which the box is closed and anopen position in which a window of insertion is created in the box,enabling an introduction of said product into the internal space, and alid comprising an internal face and an external face, wherein said lidis articulated along an edge of the upper face of the box so as to beable to pivot about a swivel axis (X-X) contained in the lid, whereinsaid lid can swivel between a shut-down position, in which the upperface of the box is covered by the lid, and a lifted-up position.
 2. Boxaccording to claim 1, comprising in the upper face at least one openingthrough which the product is partially visible and/or is accessible tothe user.
 3. Box according to claim 1, comprising at least one closingflap articulated along one of the edges of the upper face, wherein saidedge is parallel to the edge of articulation of the pivoting lateralface and is situated on the same side as the window of insertion of thebox, and wherein said closing flap can swivel about a swivel axisrepresented by the edge along which it is articulated.
 4. Box accordingto claim 1, wherein the pivoting lateral face comprises at least oneclosing means articulated along at least one edge of said pivotinglateral face, said edge being perpendicular to the edge of articulationof the lateral face, and wherein said closing means can swivel about aswivel axis determined by the edge along which it is articulated, andwherein said closing means is adapted to be inserted into the internalspace in order to close the box.
 5. Box according to claim 1, whereinthe closing means comprises a first edge which is in continuity with theedge of articulation of the lateral face to which the closing means isarticulated; a second edge by which the closing means is articulated tothe lateral face; a curve connecting said edges; and at least oneclosing-fixing means (C).
 6. Box according to claim 1, wherein theclosing-fixing means (C) is a flat segment which forms a straight linethat is parallel to the second edge of articulation of the lateral faceto which the closing means is articulated.
 7. Box according to claim 1,wherein the lid is fixed in a permanent way to an edge of the upper faceof the box.
 8. Box according to claim 1, wherein the lid includes atleast one foldable flap articulated along an edge of said lid so as tobe able to pivot about a swivel axis represented by said edge.
 9. Boxaccording to claim 8, wherein said foldable flap is adapted to beattached to/detached from one of the lateral faces of the box by atleast one means of attachment provided on said lateral face and/or onsaid foldable flap.
 10. Box according to claim 8, wherein the foldableflap is adapted to be inserted between one of the lateral faces and theupper face of the box when the lid is shut down on the upper face, thefoldable flap is perpendicular to the lid and said lateral face is in aclosed position.
 11. Box according to claim 1, comprising a foldabledecoration comprising a first flat part attached to the internal face ofthe lid, a second flat part attached to the upper face of the box and atleast one slot laterally delimiting an unfolding-folding structurecomprising elements of decoration which have folding lines extendingbetween the aforesaid slots and can be spread out into space and form atleast one plane that is parallel to at least one of the first and secondflat parts of the foldable decoration.
 12. Box according to claim 1,adapted to be folded along the edge of articulation of the lid to thebox and/or the edges of the upper face and/or the lower face and/or thefront lateral face and/or the rear lateral face which are parallel toit, wherein said box is adapted to be folded when the pivoting lateralface is in an open position, forming, in this way, a practically flatstructure.
 13. Foldable decoration comprising a first flat part, asecond flat part and at least one slot laterally delimiting anunfolding-folding structure comprising elements of decoration which havefolding lines extending between the aforesaid slots and can be spreadout into space and form at least one plane that is parallel to at leastone of the first and second flat parts of the foldable decoration. 14.Cut for the making of a box as described in claim 1 comprising aplurality of lines of connection corresponding to the various edges ofthe faces and/or closing flaps and/or flaps of the lid and/or lid of thebox when said box is formed.
 15. Foldable decoration comprising a firstflat part, a second flat part and at least one slot laterally delimitingan unfolding-folding structure comprising elements of decoration whichhave folding lines extending between the aforesaid slots and can bespread out into space and form at least one plane that is parallel to atleast one of the first and second flat parts of the foldable decoration,adapted to be superposed on at least one surface of a cut for the makingof a box as described in claim 1 comprising a plurality of lines ofconnection corresponding to the various edges of the faces and/orclosing flaps and/or flaps of the lid and/or lid of the box when saidbox is formed.